Stepping in for Salas is UFC newcomer Lucas Martins (11-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC). Sources close to the promotion on Wednesday confirmed the news to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

UFC on FX 7 takes place Jan. 19 at Ginasio Estadual Geraldo Jose de Almeida, also known as Ginasio do Ibirapuera, in San Paulo, Brazil. It will be the UFC's first trip to Sao Paulo. The main card airs on FX in the U.S. and features a middleweight fight between Vitor Belfort (21-10 MMA, 10-6 UFC) and Michael Bisping (23-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC).

Martins just this past month won a pair of fights in Sao Paulo in less than a week's time. He submitted Thiago Sampaio with a first-round rear-naked choke in 43 seconds on Dec. 8, then turned around and stopped Oberdan Vieira Tenorio with a head-kick knockout on Dec. 13 under the Jungle Fight banner.

Those two wins made him 9-0 in 2012 – with eight coming by stoppage. Only one of his 11 pro fights has gone the distance. Martins has been pro for only 16 months.

MP- You have been taking the fast track to the UFC.., you have been a pro less then two years, and you have fought 9 times in 2012. Please explain more about this pace?

LUCAS MARTINS- I like to fight, and I wanted to get to the UFC as fast as I could. I take a fight, then I always say I am going to take a couple days off. The day after the fight, I find myself back in the gym training, looking for my next fight. I also have 3 fights that I won that are not on Sherdog.

MP- You have a kick boxing record too?

LUCAS MARTINS- Yes I am 18 -1

MP- Well for only being 24 you are a season vet.

LUCAS MARTINS- Ha ha… yes and I train at Chute Boxe, everyday of training there is like a pro fight!!!! We have so many good fighters there Flavio Alvaro, Thomas Almedia, and are coach Diego LIma

MP- Most of your fights have been ended by KO or TKO, would you call your style more of a striker?

LUCAS MARTINS- I love to strike, but I am a MMA fighter. I train Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, and kickboxing. When I fight, I like to go for the knock out, this makes for a very exciting fights, that the fans really like.

MP- Please tell us how you got into the UFC, and about your opponent Edson Barboza?

LUCAS MARTINS- My manager called on New Years day. And said how would you like to fight Edson Barboza in the UFC. I knew that 2013 would be my year! What a way to start it, UFC and against a great fighter like Edson Barboza.

Edson has a very exciting style, and likes to go for the Knock out, this will make for a very exciting fight. Edson is one of the best 155 in the UFC, I am very excited about fighting the best.

Reply Post

“This is the official website of the Mixed Martial Arts llc. Commercial
reproduction, distribution or transmission of any part or parts of this website
or any information contained therein by any means whatsoever without the prior
written permission is not permitted.”